Compt. Anani takes over at PTML, charges stakeholders on trade compliance

Baton exchange: New Customs Area Controller of Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, Compt. Joe Anani (right), receiving the documents from former Compt. Tenny Daniyan (now an Assistant Comptroller-General) during a brief handover ceremony at the command in Lagos

The new Customs Area Controller for Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, Compt. Joe Anani, has assumed duty, promising to keep growing the command’s lofty revenue, anti-smuggling and other records. Taking over from former Compt. Tenny Daniyan (now an Assistant Comptroller-General) during a brief ceremony, Anani thanked God and CGC Adeniyi for the posting, while commending Daniya’s successes. Compt. Anani listed such achievements to include the successful roll-out of the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu, and the subsequent revenue collection and trade facilitation successes associated with it as great milestones that he must improve on. He called on all customs officers, sister-government agencies, private sector stakeholders and the media for support “to sustain PTML as a model port of excellence known for security, efficiency and diligent trade facilitation,” according to the Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Abubakar. The new CAC further pledged to build on the gains achieved by his predecessors in faster cargo clearance, which aligns with the Time Release Study (TRS) programme, adding: “I am aware that this command holds an outstanding record of two-hour cargo release time for compliant RoRo consignment. “The key word here is compliance. With improved compliance and efficient system, we can do less than two hours. Compliance, as the key to trade facilitation, is critical for smooth port operations.

“It ensures adherence to regulations, reduces delays, mitigates risks, and fosters trust among trading partners. Compliance minimises bottlenecks and enhances efficiency in global trade, and PTML cannot be an exception.” Against this background, Anani urged all PTML Command stakeholders to imbibe compliance as a win-win for everyone in “saving time and money, whereas non-compliance leads to interventions, issuance of demand notices, waste of time and possible seizure, detention and arrest. “The CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling will be duly enforced on my watch, and I am convinced from my background checks that our stakeholders are on the right track.” More so, he assured everyone of accessibility physically and virtually in the quest to improve on our duties. Feel free to interact with me and avail me all relevant information needed for my success on this assignment.”